New Look Audi Q5

By Brent vd Schyff

Audi’s medium-sized best seller in the SUV department gets a refresh as well as ‘nerding’ up in the technology department in the last version of the Q5. One thing I’m sure of is that olive drab never looked so good before!

Design Changes

Sharpened exterior ques (no pun intended) including larger air intakes, new side sills as well as new trim and a diffuser insert at the rear. The Q5 also sports a world-first OLED (Organic light Emitting Diodes). “In addition to perfect contrast, the benefits of digital OLED are a high level of homogeneity and minimal gap between the segments,” explains Stephan Berlitz, head of development, light innovation at Audi. Moving back to the business end of the Q5, the headlights get a new signature look for daytime running lights.

New Tech Enhancements

The infotainment gets a beefed-up processor with ten times the computing power of the previous model. The top of the range model gets the 12.3-inch display and can be controlled via voice control or manual inputs. Connecting to the ‘Internet-of-things’ is Audi Connect which links you to the internet and traffic infrastructure, lane-by-lane information and traffic forecasts ensuring your get to where you need to be on time. Amazon’s Alexa is part of the package too and is ready for your instructions. User profiles can also be set up through myAudi customer portal allowing you to save personalised settings like seating position, air conditioning settings and frequently used navigational settings. Which can then be used in any other Audi you drive.

Engine Options

The Upgraded Q5 comes in a 40TDI badging that is a two-litre four-cylinder diesel and generates 150kW and 400Nm of torque. Bolted on is a mild hybrid system supplying the 12-volt electrical system as well as recuperating braking energy to store in the battery. Fuel consumption figures (claimed) are 5.4lt/100km and the Q5 will get to 100km/h in 7.6 seconds and has a top speed of 222km/h. Two further variants will be two 2.0litre TFSI motors and a V6TDI as well as a plug-in hybrid. Quattro comes standard with the S-tronic system which distributes power to the respective wheels wherever it’s needed to optimise efficiency and control in slippery surfaces.